Speeders in dark about N.O. cameras

Red-light cameras began catching drivers speeding through four New Orleans intersections Monday, but many motorists seemed unfazed by the new technology. Some still don't know the cameras are in place.

Despite signs placed about 100 feet from each traffic light informing approaching drivers that the intersection is camera-enforced, many drivers didn't seem to notice.

"At this intersection?" said Shana Donahue, waiting at the stoplight of South Carrollton Avenue and Palmetto Street in a gray Nissan Pathfinder.

She looked ahead, trying to focus on the device.

"I had no idea there was even a camera here," she said.

In addition to the one at Palmetto, three major intersections have been outfitted with enforcement cameras and activated for ticket-writing purposes: Poydras Street at Loyola Avenue, Earhart Boulevard at South Carrollton and Canal Street at Carrollton.

Since April, the cameras have been used by the city to catch those who cross an intersection after the light has turned red or who turn right on red without stopping.

On Monday, the city began enforcing the feature that catches speeders. Early tests showed that the intersection of South Carrollton and Palmetto had the highest rate of speeding violations.

Enforcement cameras often raise concerns because of studies that show increased numbers of rear-end collisions at intersections where they are used, as some ticket-leery drivers hit the brakes hard.

But there was little of that at South Carrollton Avenue and Palmetto on Monday afternoon.

"I heard about it in the papers, but I haven't seen them," one driver said as he waited for the light to turn.

The cameras produce a bright flash as they take a picture of the back of a vehicle, capturing license plate details. But many drivers don't realize they have been caught on camera until they get a ticket in the mail.

Tinkering with its public information campaign, the city plans to add speed limit signs near the intersections, Public Works Director Robert Mendoza said.

The cameras should make New Orleans driving safer, Mendoza said. The city soon will activate enforcement cameras at several locations along Poydras Street and St. Charles Avenue.

"It's my belief that if we start to enforce it and we have the cameras on, 90 percent of the people will slow down and the other 10 percent won't slow down -- and they'll find out once they get their first ticket," he said.

Some drivers agree the cameras will have an effect, but they still aren't happy about the city's new strategy.

"They're effective, but I just don't like them," said one driver of a sport utility vehicle.

"Anything we can do to get rid of them, I'm in favor," another said, his voice trailing off as he buzzed off in his champagne-tinted truck.

Nicole Dungca can be reached at ndungca@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3321.